My Very Own “Emily in Paris” Experience
“I did Rosetta Stone on the plane, but it hasn’t kicked in yet,” Emily says from the Netflix hit series Emily in Paris. Swap Rosetta Stone for Duolingo, and that’s basically a quote I tell myself whenever I travel to a country where English isn’t the primary language.
If you’ve never seen Emily in Paris on Netflix – what are you even doing reading this blog post?! Just kidding. Please keep reading! In short, it’s about this young marketing savant, Emily, who gets transplanted from the mundane, predictable corporate life of Chicago to the chic, drama-filled world of luxury marketing in Paris. Her story swings from tragic lows to climactic highs as she finds her place and begins to assimilate into Paris culture – all the while strutting down romantic, cobblestone streets in couture dresses.
If there’s one thing I learned about myself since my early obsession with The Real Housewives franchise, it’s that I gravitate towards aspirational shows. And what could be more aspirational than a job that lets you work in Paris, creating bold, boundary-pushing campaigns for the ultra-luxe brands of Paris, all while attending fancy galas and balls, wearing only the most fitted, the most elegant, and the most lavish outfits? Throw in 2, 3, or 5 handsome leading men, and voilà—my ultimate dream.
It’s easy to fall in love and become immersed in the story of Emily in Paris. It’s aspirational, of course, but not entirely out of reach. It dangles just close enough that I can see and almost touch it – yet that tiny gap might as well be light-years away, keeping me wanting more.
Even though the main goals of my trip to Paris were to attend the ATP Paris Masters tennis tournament and go shopping – I know, I know, my interests are all over the place – I also organized an extra side quest: visiting some of the Emily in Paris filming locations.
Before I start listing them, please know that one of my biggest tenets when I travel is RESPECT. Respect for the people, respect for the culture, respect for the country. While these spots may be exciting “tourist” attractions, many are also real neighborhoods where people go about their daily lives. So, if you’re reenacting scenes or staging fun photoshoots with friends, please be mindful that you’re not disrupting the flow of everyday life.
Now, with that said, here are some of the places I visited from Emily in Paris!
———————————————————
✨ Emily’s Apartment Building: 1 Pl. de l'Estrapade
On screen, this plaza where Emily’s apartment is located looks straight out of a fairytale—so charming that it almost seems like a film set. So imagine my surprise (and delight!) when I arrived and saw that everything was exactly as the show portrays it—no CGI backdrops, no fake gardens, no over-enhanced buildings. It’s all real!
✨ Gabriel’s Restaurant (Chez Lavaux / L’Esprit de Gigi): 18 Rue des Fossés Saint-Jacques
Turning the corner from Jardin du Luxembourg, the first thing I spotted was the vibrant red awning—instantly recognizable from the show! In real life, it’s called Terra Nera. Unfortunately, it was closed when I stopped by, so now I’m left wondering… does the inside look the same as in the show too?
✨ Savoir Office / Agence Grateau: Place de Valois
This little square literally comes out of nowhere! One moment, I was strolling down Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, and the next, I turned into this hidden gem—complete with the iconic art gallery that serves as Agence Grateau’s neighbor on the show. Across the street, there’s also the café that frequently pops up on the show.
✨ Rue de l’Abreuvoir: what Mindy calls “the most beautiful street in the world”
One thing the show definitely doesn’t portray realistically? The distance between locations. Emily’s apartment is in the Latin Quarter, yet they make it seem like this street is just a few blocks away—when in reality, it’s in Montmartre, a few Metro stops away! But hey, no complaints. This dreamy street is in what I’d argue is the most romantic and charming neighborhood in Paris—Montmartre.
✨ Wall of “I Love You” (Le Mur des Je T’Aime)
One of the locations Emily scouted for Gabriel and Camille’s proposal. It’s tucked inside—you guessed it—another small, cute garden/playground. Heads up though: it gets packed by late morning. If you want a private moment, come early! I came around 8 AM and had it all to myself… for about 15 minutes. Then the crowds started rolling in.
✨ Basilique du Sacré-Cœur: where Emily goes for her morning runs
Sitting at the very tippy top of Montmartre, this stunning church offers one of the best panoramic views of Paris. You can either hike up the stairs (workout unlocked 💪) or take the funicular. I was hoping for that picture-perfect sunrise view, but sadly, the weather had other plans—fog and clouds stole the show.
✨ Galeries Lafayette Haussmann: the setting of many work parties
Department stores in Paris aren’t just for shopping—they’re works of art. Seriously, always look up. The domes, the walls, the ceilings… everything is meticulously designed. It’s next-level luxury.
✨ Samaritaine: another setting for work parties
Refer to my note on Parisian malls above. Because, WOW!
———————————————————
Of course there are many, many more shooting locations that I didn’t include and/or that I didn’t get a chance to check out. The gardens, for example, are heavily featured in the show - Jardin du Palais Royal, Jardin des Tuileries, and Jardin du Luxembourg.
In the end, it was truly exciting and surreal to see these filming locations in person. It makes that aspirational aspect, just slightly more tangible.
———————————————————
SPOILER ALERT!!! DON’T READ AHEAD IF YOU’RE NOT UP TO DATE ON THE SERIES
Now that Emily has been shipped off to Rome, I guess I’ll have to amass a list of filming locations there, also! I should download Italian in Duolingo soon. But for now, Sante!
PS. Come check out my Paris Travel Vlog on my Youtube channel here.
